Kalasam falls down from Srikalahasthi Gopuram

Srikalahasthi: An ancient clay 'Kalasam' fell down from Srikalahasthi temple tower, known as 'Simha Dwaara Gopuram', in the morning hours of Saturday.

The upper part of the kalasam fell down while the remaining six kalasams were intact. Pilgrims took it as an evil omen and feared a danger in the near future.

After hearing of the incident, the temple authorities rushed to the spot and directed the engineering staff to replace the old 'kalasam' with a new one. The engineering staff did so and finished the golden coloured coating.

'Samprokshanam' was held to remove any evil aspects. Mr. Anandarao, assistant commissioner in the endowments department, felt that the monkey menace might have been one of the reasons for this incident.
He assured the pilgrims that no misfortune or danger would befall them.

Mr Balasubramanyam, the chief priest of the temple, said that this is an indication of a future danger, but there was no need to fear because the 'Samprokshanam' would remove all the evil tendencies.

The temple authorities had last held repairs to the Simhadwara gopuram in 1974. They suspect rains and winds are behind the dislodging of the gopuram.

The experts committee, including the structural engineers and oceanographic professors, examined this temple tower in May last year after the collapse of 'Gali Gopuram' and advised immediate action on weak structures. But nothing was done.